The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-02
THE SEASONS FIRST GAME.
AN Introduction of the Indianapolis
Team That Pleases a Large Crowd.
A Victory for Cincinnati Is Won, but Not
Until the Home Players Give Fair
Show Of Their Capabilities.

Had the air been tempered a little more by
the sun, yesterday, the baseball spectators at
the Athletic Park would have had an afternoon
of complete enjoyment AS it was the brisk
ness OF the atmosphere suited the players, all
OF whom appeared in the best condition. In
this respect the favors OF good seemed
equally measured out to the contesting teams
the Cincinnatis and Indianapolis. No one OF
the fifteen hundred persons present. among
whom were many ladies. expected a brilliant
game, but the men, both of the home and visit
ing clubs, went at their work with an honest
interest. There was nothing fictitious or
forced in making the contest all that il should
be. considering the disadvantages that attended
the home nine. For the first time. as team,
they had practice of an hour or so Thursday
Afternoon. That was all, and out of that
must be left Myers, who did not reach
the city until yesterday morning He
came almost directly from the train to the field.
taking the place at first assigned toeArundel. It
might be said that the Indianapolis nine could
not count on who would make up its compile
ment until the field was reached With this to
handicap them they had to meet club whose
men have for years been familiar with each
others work. besides this year having bad
abundant practice and several games to their
credit The result of the game shows that the
Indianapolis players have capabilities that war
rant expectations OF a good showing in the
League record at the end of the season.
When the game was called the home club went
to the bat, but did not remain there long.
During the game it was in this place in which
the local men distinguished themselves less.
Had their batting been up to the average of
field play, run two more could have ad-
vanced the score 1t was when the Cincinnatis
took the bat that the Indianapolis players began
to show their worth. Boyle's pitching received
many favorable comments. The balls came
from him with swiftness. force and directness
that could have knocked down an OK, but Myers
had their lines down as accurately as il the two
had had weeks of practice. Nicol caught
one Of them on his bat and gave it
back to Boyle. He made an effort
for his base, but went out to let
McPhee have an opportunity which he
utilized by taking the first base on called balls.
He stole the second on a strike of Fennelly,
which the latter took advantage of by attempt
got astray In a will throw of Shombere, which
allowed McPhee to hurry home and score
for the visitors. But Reilly quickly followed
Fennelly with an ont on first The second in
ming did not give the Indianapolis people any
further advantage until they went to the field
again. when they quickly disposed of Jones.
Carpenter and the rest of the list, by good man.
agement of their points of advantage. By this
time the audience began to appreciate where the
best playing would be. but unfortunately for the
home club it was unevenly divided, the Cincin-
natis having the best of it at the bat, while
their opponents had to look to field work
for their record. McKeon did not
60 to the bat until the third inning began. He
had round of applause The ball came fairly
well for him, and he tried to get all the good he
could ont of it, but Reilly stopped It Seery Sc
cured a base ON balls. blt diasscock and Quinn
were unfortunate aud left him there. Shom-
berg could have done better, but his mistakes
to be taken with considerable graciousness
as be more than balanced them by plays that
were anywhere from good TO excellent. But a
serious mistake by him allowed the Cincinnatis
to score two rms bv Nicol and McPhee. The
fourth inning uninterestine. but in the fifth
liner sent by Fennelly brought Nicol to the
home plate. Up to the sixth the
but it directly, by Seery sending
a sky ball. which Carpenter let drop Glass
cock helped Seerv along by sending the bail
down to the fence. which caused the felders
some annoyance 1t let Seery come home and
sent Glassc%ck toward secord base. But he
| tried to do too much. He lost his chance then
! and left the bats ready for the Cincinnatis
| Jones achieved one of his distinguishing feats
| by sending the ball into Mississippi street 1t
| got lost and allowed him to leisurely make his
| home run. In the seventh inning Cahill took
| his third base by degrees, ard
| finally came home on Myerss base hit. When
| the visitors took the bat Fenneily
| sent the bal! down to center field. which McPhee
made use Of, and in taking care of both Fennel-
| ly and McPnee the felders got somewhat wor-
ried. They took Fennelly off his base. but the
relieved the danger by catching Reilly, and af
| terward placing Jones il jeopardy. who tried to
save himself between second and third. While
| urely The remaining innings did not furnish
ball which went to the limit or the left field.
1t gave him two bases. besides permitting Seerv
/ to go from first to third. Quinn brought them
| both home. and took second himself. Schom-
| berg went out on a fly. leaving Quinn's ambition
unfulflled 1t scored two runs for the home
| nine. and caused loud applause.
During the play the audience was we'll salts
| fed with what the home club had done. The
result is a guaranty of what will be given to-day
| in the second game when Denny will surely be
| on third base. In studying the score below it is
| we'll to remember that it is according to the new
| rules. They count man going to base on balls
! as having made n base hit, as is done when a
batter is struck by a ball To get the aetna!
| batting, reference must be made to summary OF
| bases on balls. which is to be deducted from the
! figures in the base-hit column.